Positive Healthwatch report of Millfield Care Home

Healthwatch Rochdale

A positive Enter and View report of Millfield Care Home, Heywood, has been published by Healthwatch Rochdale, following their visit on 23 July.

During the visit, Healthwatch observed residents were treated with respect and dignity and staff members were friendly and chatty to residents. The home appeared to encourage feedback from residents, having a suggestions box and a ‘you said, we did’ board. The home also published the minutes from the last residents’ meetings on the notice board which included comments from residents and the intended action plan.

In addition, the home had a beautifully well-maintained garden with bright flowers and plants, as well as an outdoor table and chairs in dementia friendly colours and a chicken coop as part of The Social Hens Project.

Following the visit recommendations were made which included:

• Developing reminiscence activities to stimulate memories for dementia patients
• To begin to implement suggested menu alternatives made by residents at a residents’ meeting
• Providing a nutrition and hydration station with drinks, fruit and snacks to allow residents to drink and snack as they wish whilst maintaining their independence

Kate Jones, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Millfield is the first home we have visited where we have seen comments from a residents’ meeting displayed on the notice board. This transparency was great to see and points to the home being an open environment where residents are encouraged to share their comments, concerns or compliments.

“The main issue for residents seemed to be the lack of variety in the menu which we noted was an issue that had already been identified by the home. At the time of our visit these changes were yet to be implemented and we encourage Millfield to make these changes as soon as possible.”

Millfield Care Home has been contacted for comment.